“An absolute disgrace”: Royal Mail workers in first day of strikes over pay dispute

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) which represents Royal Mail Group workers took to the streets after members voted by 97.6% on a 77% turnout to take action.

Further strike action will take place on August 31, September 8 and September 9.

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CWU members waved flags outside the Glasgow South East Delivery office in Cambuslang and were joined by Labour councillors and MSPs from Glasgow.

They chanted “the workers, united, will never be defeated” in unison as passing cars honked in recognition.

Earlier this summer, management at Royal Mail gave workers a 2% pay rise, which the union argues is not enough to support workers as inflation is set to hit 18% by January 2023.

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Craig Anderson, regional secretary of the CWU, told The Glasgow Times: “Our members are really struggling at the moment, especially with energy bills and fuel and food.

“Two percent is just not enough.”

“This is a company that has made millions of pounds, £758m pounds in profits. The CEO’s and the financial officer have awarded themselves £2m in bonuses and they gave out £400m to shareholders in dividends.

“So, this is not a company with no money that’s making no money.

“Our workers worked through the pandemic, they delivered record amounts of mail, they delivered record profits for the company and also a massive amount of money for shareholders.

“And to be given or to be imposed on them, only two percent, currently, it’s an absolute disgrace.”

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A spokesperson for Royal Mail said the strike action would put the company “into the most uncertain time of its 500-year history” and “it is putting jobs at risk and making pay rises less affordable.”

The spokesperson added: “We apologise to our customers, and the public for the inconvenience the CWU’s strike action will cause.

“We have offered to meet the CWU numerous times in recent weeks, but they declined each invitation, preferring to spend their time on the political agenda of the UK trade union movement.

“We remain ready to talk with the CWU to try and avert damaging industrial action and prevent significant inconvenience for customers.

“But any talks must be about both change and pay.”